London 2012 in Sarah Hammer’s sights

U.S. Olympic cyclist Sarah Hammer knows now that she has made it through the crossroads.

It's been a remarkable year of recovery, going from her lowest point in 2008 to a commanding resurgence this year. The process that returned Hammer to the top of the track cycling world hasn't been smooth.

But it's reinforced that she is a survivor.

What was supposed to be the high point of her career, reaching the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games with a real shot to claim a gold medal, turned into sheer disaster.

She accidentally stepped into trouble the moment she got off the plane in Beijing, being one of four cyclists who innocently donned masks due to Beijing's long-running air quality issues. Hammer apologized for inadvertently offending the Chinese, and looked forward to racing.

But her elevated stress level and the churning emotional turmoil proved too great. She felt miserable and uncomfortable in Beijing, and her time on the track reflected the distress.

She finished a disappointing fifth in pursuit.

Things went from bad to worse in the points race. Hammer attempted to avoid a collision, spaced a mere bike length behind the downed riders, but was unable to maintain control. She flipped off her bike, crashed hard to the velodrome's unforgiving wooden track, and shattered her collarbone.

Her Olympic Games were finished. And many wondered if Hammer's career was also done.

"My experience in Beijing was so bad, I can't even go there still," Hammer said. "I don't look at pictures. I don't want to watch the highlight DVDs that come in the mail to us. Andy (Sparks, her husband) just takes them away. I questioned everything about my career for months after that. I got really deep."

She showed determination in 2007, successfully coming back to world-class form after suffering a serious back injury.

But this time was different. She was emotionally and physically hurt.

Hammer privately wondered: was this worth it? Did she have the desire to keep training for a shot at the London 2012 Olympic Games?

"I guess I've answered those questions this summer: I want this, I still feel I can be among the world's best on the track, and I feel no reason to stop," said Hammer, 26. "I needed to take a couple of months after Beijing to heal in every way, physically, emotionally, mentally, but there was no doubt once I reached that point where I felt strong again.

"I want to be on the bike, doing what I do best. I want to enjoy every second of this. No career lasts forever, and I am going to reach the end soon. Until it's really over, I am not stopping."

Hammer, a two-time world champion, showed her strong form at the USA Cycling Elite National Track championships in early October. She dominated the 3,000-meter individual pursuit, setting a new track record (3:31.831) at the Home Depot Center velodrome in Los Angeles.

She won her ninth U.S. title, showing her desire and focus are back.

Hammer is coached by her husband, Andy Sparks, a former national team rider and 2008 U.S. Olympic track cycling coach. They spent a lot of time discussing her future after Beijing and developed a new philosophy. The emphasis is on riding smart, doing less road mileage to save her body, and enjoying being on the bike.

"Sarah's future will be a lot more focused on the process and experience of cycling, instead of racking up World Championship titles and records," Sparks said. "We really took the experience for granted before of how beautiful the sport of cycling is and how lucky we are both to be doing what we love as our profession. This process has really reinforced what is important in competition, and in life."

Sparks and Hammer recently started a big adventure together. They married in June, and while on their honeymoon in Peru, found out some big news: Sparks had a dream job offer waiting.

He joined the Union Cycliste Internationale's World Cycling Center in Aigle, Switzerland, as its development coach. The couple relocated to Switzerland in mid-October, and Hammer will train and mentor younger riders at the complex.

The Center is an expansive track and training complex, serving emerging and world-class riders. Hammer will continue to train with Sparks in Aigle, with her eye on the World Championships in Copenhagen in March 2010.

In the meantime, there will be lot of unpacking and exploring her new home and neighborhood in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Hammer, a native of Temecula, Calif., will now be hanging out in the Swiss Alps.

"I've never been to Switzerland before, so this could get interesting, and no, I don't speak French-yet," Hammer said, adding a laugh. "We're starting off our married life with a bang. We're changing everything."

Sparks sees the move as a positive for both of their careers, as they love to work together. He's frequently asked about how they negotiate their roles as coach and rider and a married couple.

"Since Sarah started back in 2004 with the goal of being world champion, we have been in this game together, both in the highs and the lows," Sparks said. "We are partners in every sense of the word. The combination that we both respect each other so much, and that we are both doing what we are very passionate about, formulates a winning team. I definitely would not want to compete against us."

Team Hammer is pointing toward London, well aware that anything can happen. Nothing is guaranteed, even if you are in the best shape of your life coming into a big competition.

The lessons of Beijing will not be forgotten by Hammer. But she wants another chance to write a different ending to her Olympic experience.

"I want to be in the London Olympics, I see that as the goal right now," Hammer said. "Andy and I talked a lot after Beijing about everything. I see getting to London, if I am lucky enough to be on the team, as a redemption of sorts.

"I see a totally different experience for me in London. I will be present for all of it, with my heart open to taking it all in. I will be happy to be there, no matter what happens. I want to get a second chance to do it all over again, this time having it be right in every way. And now is when you do the hard work to get there."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Joanne C. Gerstner is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of any National Governing Bodies.